Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-01
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Is the Name OF the Presbyterian
Educational Institution.
A Donation Of $50, 800 in Cash and
Four Hundred and Twenty.Seven
Acres Of Land-History OF the
Movement.

For some time the public has watched with
| interest the development OF the scheme for
| Presbyterian University. AS is known, the
10 eating committee Of the proposed institu-
ten and the gentlemen interested In secuf'
| ing a bid for the site have for some weeks
| been in conference On the enterprise. Inc
| committee chose the desired site from the
| many beautiful locations surrounding the
city and told the parties interested in prop
erty in that section that by raising certain
amount and conforming to certain
terms they could secure the institution
The property owners lmmedlateiy
went to work with the zeal and courage
every day noticeable in the business trans
actions of full pledged Wichitans. In com
paratively short time iC became evident
that the scheme had developed into some
thing of more rigid texture, 1t had as
sumed portions that made those interested
smile the smile of victors and the city point
with pride to still another great institution
of learning which would meet the demands
of her youths. Considering the powers
money, brains and enterprise-that were
ready to assume control Of the institution
the public felt assured that the institution
| when placed in operation could stand with
the others Of the city and state and DO
potent factor in providing means for
giving a thorough and well rounded educa'
ton to the coming generations. The strenStn
conceded to it caused all those in this section
| to look with interest toward the development
of plans that would place the institution
among the facts and among the many facts
relating to Wichita.
Yesterday the committee on location and
the committee representing tho property
owners held meeting in the office OF the
| president of the Kansas National Bank and
the offer was accepted and now the instltu-
ton is an assured fact. The charter was
yesterday received and the corporation fully
organized to carry out plans relating to the
institution.
The site as selected lies directly east on
Douglas avenue between one and two miles
east of Hillside avenue. The donations con-
| sist of one hundred and seventeen acres OF
| land in a body, including the site. The en-
tire amount of land in the vicinity OF the site
is four hundred and twenty seven acres Cash
subscriptions amount to $500. The point
decided upon for buildings is pronounced by
| all as well suited to that purpose. 1t com
| nands beautiful view and for beauty and
drainage it cannot be surpassed. All who
are interested in the institution seem united III
the belief that no better location could have
| been secured.
The institution has been christened the
Central university. The incorporators are
Col. H. w. Lewis, Rev. j. d. Hewitt, A. A.
Hyde, Rodolph Hatfield and r. E. Law
| renee. President, Rev. Hewitt; secretary
! A. A. Hyde; treasurer, Col Lewis. A bond
has been filed in the State National Bank
calling for an expenditure in buildings OF
100000 within twenty months. OF course
only general plan has yet been discussed
concerning building. 1t is expected to
spend a much larger sum than the bond calls
for. A committee will be appointed to give
| the building question special attention and
with the assistance of the best architects in
the country report plans for building tina:
! will be credit to any city. This subject
will be one of the first that will pres ent itself
| for solution and will be handled with all the
care possible. There will probably be a naiE
building, in the neighborhood of which, suffi
| Gent dormitory capacity to accommodate
| the students Arrangements will be made
for extending motor line to the institution
| with q service suited to the demands.
While history of the Presby terrain educa-
| tional movement in Wichita is Doubtless
known to majority, yet II
| will be read with interest, especially
since it promises to assume SO important a
role. 1t was in April, "a, that the Rev. }.
D. Hewitt pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church, proposed to the Presbytery Of
Emporia that an academy for higher educa'
ton should be established in the bounds of the
Presbytery. IS is known the Presbytery
has in its limits fourteen Of the best counties
| in the state. The idea presented by the Rev
Hewitt proved popular one. Immediately
the following gentlemen were elected trustees
r. Z. Lawrence, II. w. Lewis, j. d. Hewitt
NJ W. Levy, A. W. Oliver, w. +. Harper
John Tucker, L. B. Terrell, L. B. Bunnsll
| A. A. HYDE, w. c. Little and Rodolph Hat
field.
A movement was Immediately placed on
| foot viii ch resulted in the Lewis Academy
| which is now in successful operation. 1t is
well known that Mr. Lewis made q donation
to the academy of S25, geo III good securities.
This institution having been provided for
gave an impetus to future deyelopement in
that direction. The growth far surpassed
the fondest anticipations. 1t was first thought
that in course OF time college could he es-
tablished, which, following up the line of
developement, would finally 40
the work of university and
then could be given another name.
The rapid development was commensurate
with the unparalleled growth of the city.
II became evident some time since that suffi-
Gent funds could be secured for the estab-
Hshmens and maintaiusnce OF university.
Works followed with fiattering results.
The Lewis Academy viii by 10 means be
abandoned, as has been intimated. 1t viii
serve as preparatory department for the
university. The course Of study OF the lat
ter i'll be so arranged that it viii suppl
meut the former. No one is dIspleased with
the locations of either institution. With the
Preparatory dep al ment in the very heart OF
the city students in their first school days
will have but little trouble in going TO and